Brassiere

ABSTRACT

The claimed invention is directed to brassieres that offer extra support for large women. The brassieres include an inner bra band and an outer bra band.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to brassieres. More particularly, thisinvention is directed to brassieres that offer extra support for largewomen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brassieres, or bras, provide support and enhance the shape of thebreasts. Bras and similar undergarments have long been known. While thedetails of construction of bras may vary, the basic structure is twocups which cover and hold the breasts, two bra bands, which are coupledto the sides of the cups and wrap around the wearer, and a closure,which attaches the two bands to each other in the middle of the backalong the spine. Many bras also have shoulder straps, under wires, acenter gore, and a frame.

There are several problems with the construction of the basic bra,especially for larger sized wearers. Often, the weight of the breastscauses the shoulder strap to move forward, which pulls the bra band uphigher on the back of the wearer than intended. This may beuncomfortable for the wearer, may cause the breasts to sit lower thandesired, and may prevent much of the support that the bra was intendedto provide.

Another problem caused by the basic construction is that the bra bandapplies so much pressure on the area under the wearer's arm that fleshand fat are displaced and bulge out from the band. This can beuncomfortable for the wearer and the effects can often be seen throughclothing, provide an undesirable look and feeling of embarrassment forthe wearer.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a bra, especially for larger women,that provides adequate support, stays in place, and is comfortable forthe wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings that form a part of the specification andare to be read in conjunction therewith, the present invention isillustrated by way of example and not limitation, with like referencenumerals referring to like elements, wherein:

FIGS. 1( a)-1(cc) illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2( a)-2(q) illustrate another exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 3( a)-3(w) illustrate a strapless embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bra that provides support and comfort towearers, especially larger wearers. While bras can be worn by eithermales or females, and by either children or adults, they are generallyworn by adult females. Thus, in the following description, the terms“women,” “woman,” “her,” and “she” may be used to describe the wearer ofthe bra. This is meant for simplicity and clarity and is not intended toexclude men, girls, or boys, or to limit the scope of the invention inany way.

As used herein, the term “cups” refers to the two portions of the brathat cover and hold the breasts. A cup may cover the entire breast oronly a portion of the breast.

As used herein “bra bands” refers to the portion of the bra that extendfrom the outer base of the cups, around the woman, and secure in theback, usually along the spine. Bra bands may be distinct from the cupsor they may be an extension of the cups.

As used herein the term “inner bra band” refers to the bra band thatoriginates at a point closer to the woman than the outer bra band.

As used herein the term “outer bra band” refers to the bra band thatoriginates as a point further from the woman than the inner bra band.

As used herein, the term “shoulder straps” refers to straps that arecoupled to the upper portion of the cups and extend over the shoulders.The other ends of the shoulder straps may attach to the bra bands in theback or to each other behind the neck.

As used herein, the terms “closure” and “clasp” refer to the device ormechanism used to couple the bra bands to each other or the shoulderstraps to each other, usually along the spine of a woman.

As used herein the term “underwire” refers to a “wire” which runs underthe lower portion of the cup to provide additional support and shape.The “wire” can be made out of a variety of materials including, but notlimited to metals, plastic, or a combination thereof. The wires may beflexible or they may be rigid.

As used herein the term “frame” refers to material surrounding othercomponents of the bra that offer stability or support.

As used herein the term “bone” refers to a support structure insertedinto the material of a bra to provide stability, maintain rigidity,and/or maintain the width of the material into which it is inserted.

As used herein, when referring to a bra, the terms “right or right side”refer to the right side of the garment as worn. For example, the rightcup would cover a woman's right breast.

As used herein, when referring to a bra, the terms “left or left side”refer to the left side of the garment as worn. For example, the left cupwould cover a woman's left breast.

As used herein, when referring to a bra, the term “front” refers to theportion of the bra that would be covering the front of a woman. Forexample, the cups are at the front of the bra.

As used herein, when referring to a bra, the term “back” refers to theportion of the bra that would be covering the back of a woman. Forexample, the “closure” is generally located at the back of a bra.

As used herein, when referring to a bra, the term “side” refers to theportion of the bra that would be covering the side of woman, such as thearea under the arm. For example, at least a portion of the bra band isgenerally at the side of the bra. Thus, the right side of a bra coversthe right side of a woman and the left side of a bra covers the leftside of a woman.

The bra of the present invention includes two cups and two bra bands,including an inner bra band and an outer bra band. Each bra band isgenerally made up of two panels, a right bra band panel and a left braband panel. Each inner bra band panel is attached to the correspondingcup, preferably originating at the bottom center of the cup, andcontinues in an upward and outward direction around the side of a woman.The inner bra band provides support and lifts the breasts and alsoreduces the amount of bulging that occurs with a bra with only a singlebra band.

Each outer bra band panel is coupled to the side portion of thecorresponding cup and continues in a horizontal direction around thewoman. The outer bra bands can be directly or indirectly attached to thecorresponding cup or they can be extensions of the corresponding cup.

The inner bra band and the outer bra band may be coupled to each otherat the point where the outer bra band is coupled to the cup. In oneembodiment, this attachment may continue until the point where the innerbra band is no longer covered by the outer bra band. In anotherembodiment, this coupling may terminate at a point prior to the pointwhere the inner bra band is no longer covered by the outer bra band. Theouter bra band panels “hug” a woman around the sides of her upper ribcage and attach to each other at her spine.

In one embodiment, the inner bra band panels may attach to each other.In one embodiment, the attachment is at a woman's spine, preferablyabove the point of attachment of the outer bra band panels. A bra may ormay not have shoulder straps. If a bra has shoulder straps, in oneembodiment the shoulder straps may attach to each other at the woman'sspine and the inner bra band panels may attach to the shoulder straps oneach side of the woman's spine. In another embodiment, the shoulderstraps may attach to the inner bra bands and the inner bra bands mayattach to each other at a point along the woman's spine.

In other embodiments, the inner bra bands, the outer bra bands, and/orthe shoulder straps may be single continuous pieces of material that arecoupled to the right cup at one end and to the left cup at the otherend. In other words, they may be single panels rather than a combinationof right and left panels. In still other embodiments, the inner bra bandpanels, the outer bra band panels, and/or the shoulder straps may attachat a point other than the woman's spine.

The following figures and description are intended to illustratepreferred embodiments of the invention. It should be noted that suchfigures and description are not intended in any way to limit the scopeof the invention. Further, it will be apparent that the invention may beimplemented in other bra styles as well as in swim suits, gym apparel,evening wear, and other garments capable of accommodating a built-inbra.

FIGS. 1( a)-1(cc) illustrate one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1( a)illustrates the front/right portion of a bra 100. The left side of thebra will be a mirror image of the right side. Illustrated in FIG. 1( a)is a right cup 110, a right shoulder strap 120, a right outer bra bandpanel 130, and a right inner bra band panel 140. The cup 110 may be madeof any material suitable for a bra cup and may be of any style. The cupmay or may not be molded. In a preferred embodiment, the cup is molded.In one embodiment, the cup has a push up insert. The cup may or may notcontain an under wire. In a preferred embodiment, the cup contains anunder wire.

Attached to the upper portion of the cup 110 is a shoulder strap 120.The shoulder strap 120 may be attached to any portion of the cup thatallows the strap to sit over the woman's shoulder 150. Alternatively,the shoulder strap 120 may be coupled to the cup 110 via another portionor portions of the bra 100 that are attached to the cup 110. In otherwords, the shoulder strap 120 need not be attached directly to the cup110. The shoulder strap 120 may be permanently affixed to the bra 100 orit may be removable. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder strap 120is removable from the bra 100. The shoulder strap 120 may be made of anymaterial suitable for a shoulder strap. In a preferred embodiment, theshoulder strap 120 is made of a gel material.

Also attached to the cup 110 is the outer bra band panel 130. The outerbra band panel 130 may be attached to any portion of the cup 110 thatallows the bra to be held in place. Alternatively, the outer bra bandpanel 130 may be coupled to the cup with another portion or portions ofthe bra 100 that are attached to the cup 100. In other words, the outerbra band panel 130 need not be attached directly to the cup 110. In apreferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1( a) the outer bra band 130 isan extension of the cup 110. The outer bra band panel 130 may be made ofany material suitable for an outer bra band.

Attached to the bottom center of the inside of the cup 110 is the innerbra band panel 140. The inner bra band panel 140 lifts and supports thebreast and holds the flesh and skin under a woman's arm in place. Theinner bra band 140 may be attached to any portion of the cup 110 thatallows the inner bra band panel 140 to support the breast.Alternatively, the inner bra band panel 140 may be coupled to the cup110 with another portion or portions of the bra 100 that are attached tothe cup 110. In other words, the inner bra band panel 140 need not beattached directly to the cup 110. In a preferred embodiment, however,the inner bra band panel 140 is attached to the cup 110. In a mostpreferred embodiment, the inner bra band panel 140 is attached to thecup 110 from the point of initial attachment at the bottom of the cupall the way out to the end of the cup. At this point, the inner bra bandpanel 140 may separate from the bra 100 or, in a preferred embodiment,may be attached to the corresponding outer bra band panel 130. The innerbra band panel 140 may be made of any material suitable for an inner braband. In a preferred embodiment, the inner bra band panels 140 are madeof micro-fiber.

FIG. 1( b) illustrates the back right portion of the bra illustrated inFIG. 1( a). The back left side of the bra will be a mirror image of theright side. In this embodiment, the right outer bra band panel 130attaches to the left outer bra band panel (not shown) at a point alongthe spine 160 of the woman. The right and left outer bra band panels maybe attached with any mechanism capable of attaching two panels. In apreferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a hook 170 and eye(not shown) mechanism. In another embodiment, the outer bra band may bea single panel with no point of attachment.

The shoulder straps 120 attach to each other at a point along the spine160 of the woman above the point of attachment of the outer bra bandpanels. The right and left shoulder straps may be attached with anymechanism capable of attaching two shoulder straps. In a preferredembodiment, the attachment mechanism is a hook 170 and eye (not shown)mechanism. In another embodiment, the shoulder strap may be a singlestrap with no point of attachment. The mechanism of attachment may bethe same mechanism used to attach the outer bra band panels or it may bea different mechanism. In one embodiment, the shoulder straps containone or more bones 180 which, among other things, provide rigidity to theshoulder straps 120.

In this embodiment, the inner bra band panel 140 is attached to theouter bra band panel 130 until a portion somewhere between the woman'sspine and her side. The inner bra band panel 140 attaches to theshoulder strap 120 at a point of attachment 190 prior to the point atwhich the right and left shoulder straps attach to each other. The innerbra band panel 140 may be attached to the shoulder strap 120 by anymechanism capable of attaching them. The attachment may be permanent orit may be removable.

FIG. 1( c) illustrates the back portion, including the right and leftsides, of the bra shown in FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b).

FIGS. 1( d)-1(cc) illustrate additional views and/or variations of thebra shown in FIGS. 1( a)-1(c).

FIGS. 2( a)-2(q) illustrate another embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2(a) illustrates the front, right portion of a bra 200. The left side ofthe bra will be a mirror image of the right side. Illustrated in FIG. 2(a) is a frame 205, a cup 210, optional seams 215, a shoulder strap 220,a side panel 235, an inner bra band panel 240.

The frame 205 may surround the cup 210 and other portions of the bra andprovide extra support and comfort. The frame 205 may be made of anymaterial capable of providing support and comfort.

The cup 210 may be made of any material suitable for a bra cup and maybe of any style. The cup may or may not be molded. In one embodiment,the cup has a push up insert. The push up insert can be made of anymaterial capable of pushing up the breast. In a preferred embodiment,the bra does not have a push up insert. The cup may or may not containan under wire. In a preferred embodiment, the cup does not contain anunder wire. The cup may or may not contain one or more seams 215. In apreferred embodiment the cup contains seams 215. In a most preferredembodiment, the cup 210 contains a first seam positioned horizontallyacross the middle of the cup and a second seam positioned verticallyfrom the horizontal seam to the bottom of the cup 210.

Coupled to the upper portion of the cup 210 is a shoulder strap 220. Theshoulder strap 220 may be attached to any portion of the cup that allowsthe strap to sit over the wearer's shoulder 250. Alternatively, theshoulder strap 220 may be coupled to the cup 210 with another portion orportions of the bra that is attached to the cup. In a preferredembodiment, shoulder strap is attached to the frame 205 located at theupper portion of the cup 210. The shoulder strap 220 may be permanentlyaffixed to the bra 200 or it may be removable. In a preferredembodiment, the shoulder strap 220 is permanently affixed to the bra200. The shoulder strap 220 may be made of any material suitable for ashoulder strap 220. In a preferred embodiment, the shoulder strap 220 ismade of a gel material.

Also coupled to the cup is the outer bra band panel 230. The outer braband panel 230 may be attached to any portion of the cup 210 that allowsthe bra 200 to be held in place. Alternatively, the outer bra band panel230 may be coupled to the cup with another portion or portions of thebra 200 that are attached to the cup 210. In other words, the outer braband panel 230 need not be attached directly to the cup 210. In apreferred embodiment, there is a side bone 235 where the cup 210 and theouter bra band panel 230 meet. The side bone 235 helps to keep the widthof the bra in place. The size of the side bone 235 may vary depending onthe size of a bra 200. In a preferred embodiment, the side bone is 5inches long. The outer bra band panel 230 may be made of any materialsuitable for an outer bra band.

Attached to the bottom center of the inside of the cup is the inner braband panel 240. The inner bra band lifts and supports the breast andholds the flesh and skin under the woman's arm in place. The inner braband panel 240 may be attached to any portion of the cup that allows theinner bra band panel 240 to support the breast. Alternatively, the innerbra band panel 240 may be coupled to the cup 210 with another portion orportions of the bra 200 that are attached to the cup 210. In otherwords, the inner bra band panel 240 need not be attached directly to thecup 210. In a preferred embodiment, however, the inner bra band panel240 is attached directly to the cup 210. In a most preferred embodiment,the inner bra band panel 240 is attached to the cup 210 starting at thebottom of the cup and remaining attached to the cup all the way out tothe end of the cup. At this point, the inner bra band may separate fromthe bra 200 or, in a preferred embodiment, may be attached to the outerbra band. In one embodiment, the inner bra band panel 240 remainsattached to the cup 210 and/or the outer bra band panel 230 until itreaches the side bone 235. The inner bra band panel 240 may be made ofany material suitable for an inner bra band. In a preferred embodiment,the inner bra band panel 240 is made of micro-fiber.

FIG. 2( b) illustrates the right side portion of the bra 200 illustratedin FIG. 2( a). The left side of the bra will be a mirror image of theright side. In this embodiment, the outer bra band panel 230 attaches tothe bone 230 which is located at the side of the woman.

The inner bra band panel 240 may be attached to the cup until it reachesthe bone 235. The inner bra band panel 240 cradles the breast providinglift and support. The inner bra band panel 240 travels up the back andaway from the outer bra band 230.

FIG. 2( c) illustrates the back right portion of the bra shown in FIGS.2( a) and 2(b). The back left side of the bra will be a mirror image ofthe right side. In this embodiment, the right outer bra band panel 230attaches to the left outer bra band panel (not shown) at a point alongthe woman's spine 260. The right and left outer bra band panels may beattached with any mechanism capable of attaching bra band panels In apreferred embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a hook 270 and eye(not shown) mechanism. In another embodiment, the outer bra band may bea single panel with no point of attachment.

The inner bra band panels 240 attach to each other at the spine 260 ofthe woman at a point above the point of above the point of attachment ofthe outer bra band panels. In this embodiment, the inner bra band panel240 travels up the woman's back and is combined with the correspondingshoulder strap 220 prior to the point where the inner bra band panelsattach to each other. The inner bra band panels 240 may be attached toeach other by any mechanism capable of attaching them. In a preferredembodiment, the mechanism is a hook 270 and eye (not shown) mechanism.In an alternative embodiment, the inner bra band may be a single panelwith no point of attachment. In one embodiment, the shoulder strapscontain one or more bones 280 which provide rigidity to the shoulderstraps.

FIGS. 2( d)-2(q) illustrate additional views and/or variations of thebra shown in FIGS. 2( a)-2(c).

FIGS. 3( a)-3(w) illustrate a strapless embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3( a) illustrates the left “butterfly” component of the straplessembodiment 300 including the inside bra band panel 330, an inside braband panel bone 325, a side bone 335, the outside bra band panel 340, anoutside bra band panel bone 345, and hooks 370 and eyes 375. The size ofthe side bone may vary depending on the size of the bra, but in apreferred embodiment the side bone is 5 inches long.

FIG. 3( b) illustrates the front portion of two alternative versions ofthe strapless embodiment. One version is shown covering the right breastand another version is shown covering the left breast. The differencesbetween the version shown on the right side and the left side are forillustration only of two alternative versions. In an actual garment, theright and left sides would be mirror images of each other. FIG. 3( b)illustrates cups 310, an inner bra band panels 340, a side bone 335, andoptional seams 315.

The cups 310 may be made of any material suitable for a bra cup. Thecups may or may not be molded. In one embodiment, the cup has a push upinsert. The push up insert can be made of any material capable ofpushing up the breast. The cup may or may not contain an under wire.

Attached to the bottom center of the cups are the inner bra band panels340. The inner bra band panels 340 lift and supports the breasts andhold the flesh and skin under the woman's arm in place. The inner braband panels 340 may be attached to any portion of the cup 310 that allowthe inner bra band panels 340 to support the breasts. Alternatively, theinner bra band panels 340 may be coupled to the cups 310 with anotherportion or portions of the bra 300 that is attached to the cup 310. Inother words, the inner bra band panels 340 need not be attached directlyto the cups 310. In a preferred embodiment, however, the inner bra bandpanels 340 are attached to the cups 310. In a most preferred embodiment,the inner bra band panels 340 are attached to the cups 310 starting atthe bottom center of the inside of the cups and remaining attached tothe cups all the way out to the end of the cups. The inner bra bandpanels 340 may be made of any material suitable for an inner bra bandpanel. In a preferred embodiment, the inner bra band panels 340 are madeof micro-fiber.

FIG. 3( c) illustrates the right side portion of the bra illustrated inFIG. 3( b). FIG. 3( c) shows the relationship among the cup 310, theouter inner bra band panel 330, and the outer bra band panel 340.

FIG. 3( d) illustrates the back left portion of bra shown in FIGS. 3( b)and 3(c). In this embodiment, the left and right outer bra band panelsattach to each other at a point along the woman's spine 260. The leftand right outer bra band panels 340 can be attached with any mechanismcapable of attaching bra band panels. In a preferred embodiment, theattachment mechanism is a hook 370 and eye (not shown) mechanism. Inanother embodiment, the outer bra band may be a single panel with nopoint of attachment.

The right and left inner bra band panels attach to each other at thewoman's spine 260 at a point above the point of attachment of the leftand right outer bra band panels. The point of attachment of the outerbra band and the point of the attachment of the inner bra band mayoverlap. The inner bra band panels may be attached to each other by anymechanism capable of attaching them. In a preferred embodiment, themechanism is a hook 340 and eye (not shown) mechanism. In an alternativeembodiment, the inner bra band may be a single panel with no point ofattachment.

The side of the bra may contain a side bone 335 for additional supportand structure. The size of the side bone may vary depending on the sizeof the bra. In a preferred embodiment, the side bone is 5 inches long.In addition, the outer bra band may contain bones 345 for additionalsupport and structure. In addition, the inner bra band may contain bones325 for additional support and structure.

FIGS. 3( e)-1(w) illustrate additional views and/or variations of thebra shown in FIGS. 3( a)-3(d).

1. A bra comprising an inner bra band and an outer bra band.
 2. The braof claim 1, further comprising a frame.
 3. The bra of claim 1, furthercomprising seams.
 4. The bra of claim 1, further comprising side panels.5. The bra of claim 1, wherein said inner bra band contains bones. 6.The bra of claim 1, wherein said outer bra band contains bones.
 7. Thebra of claim 1, wherein said inner bra band is comprised of amicro-fiber material.
 8. The bra of claim 7, wherein said micro-fibermaterial is a double micro-fiber material.
 9. The bra of claim 1,wherein said outer bra band is comprised of a micro-fiber material. 10.The bra of claim 9, wherein said micro-fiber material is a doublemicro-fiber material.
 11. The bra of claim 1, wherein said inner braband and said outer bra band are comprised of a micro-fiber material.12. The bra of claim 11, wherein said micro-fiber material is a doublemicro-fiber material.
 13. The bra of claim 1, wherein said inner braband is coupled to said outer bra band.
 14. The bra of claim 1, whereinsaid inner bra band is a single continuous piece of materials coupled toa right cup at one end and a left cup at the other end.
 15. The bra ofclaim 1, wherein said outer bra band is a single continuous piece ofmaterials coupled to a right cup at one end and a left cup at the otherend.
 16. The bra of claim 1 wherein said inner bra band and said outerbra band are coupled to sides of cups.
 17. The bra of claim 16, whereinsaid inner bra band is coupled to said outer bra band where said outerbra bands are coupled to said cups.
 18. The bra of claim 16, whereinsaid cups are molded.
 19. The bra of claim 16, wherein said cups includea push up insert.
 20. The bra of claim 16, wherein said cups include anunder wire.
 21. The bra of claim 16, wherein said inner bra band paneloriginates at the bottom center of the inside of said cup.
 22. The braof claim 21, wherein said inner bra band panel originates at the bottomcenter front of the inside of said cup.
 23. The bra of claim 16, whereinsaid inner bra band panel travels up the back and away from said outerbra band.
 24. The bra of claim 1, wherein said inner bra band iscomprised of a right inner bra band panel and a left inner bra bandpanel.
 25. The bra of claim 24, wherein said right inner bra band panelattaches to said left inner bra band panel at a woman's spine.
 26. Thebra of claim 24, wherein said right inner bra band panel attaches tosaid left inner bra band panel with a hook and eye mechanism.
 27. Thebra of claim 24, wherein said right inner bra band panel is coupled to aright cup and said left inner bra band panel is coupled to a left cup.28. The bra of claim 27, wherein said right inner bra band paneloriginates at the bottom center of said right cup, and continues in anupward and outward direction around the side of a woman and said leftinner bra band panel originates at the bottom center of said left cup,and continues in an upward and outward direction around the side of saidwoman.
 29. The bra of claim 28, wherein said right inner bra band paneloriginates at the bottom center front of said right cup and said leftinner bra band panel originates at the bottom center front of said leftcup.
 30. The bra of claim 28, wherein said right inner bra band paneland said left inner bra band panel join at said woman's spine.
 31. Thebra of claim 1, wherein said outer bra band is comprised of a rightouter bra band panel and a left outer bra band panel.
 32. The bra ofclaim 31, wherein said right outer bra band panel attaches to said leftouter bra band panel at a woman's spine.
 33. The bra of claim 31,wherein said right outer bra band panel attaches to said left outer braband panel with a hook and eye mechanism.
 34. The bra of claim 31,wherein said right outer bra band panel is coupled to a right cup andsaid left outer bra band panel is coupled to a left cup.
 35. The bra ofclaim 34, wherein said right outer bra band panel originates at the sideportion of said right cup and continues in a horizontal direction arounda woman and said left outer bra band panel originates at the sideportion of said left cup and continues in a horizontal direction aroundsaid woman.
 36. The bra of claim 34, wherein said right outer bra bandpanel originates at the bottom center of said right cup and continues ina horizontal direction around a woman and said left outer bra band paneloriginates at the bottom center of said left cup and continues in ahorizontal direction around said woman.
 37. The bra of claim 36, whereinsaid right outer bra band panel originates at the bottom center front ofsaid right cup and continues in a horizontal direction around said womanand said left outer bra band panel originates at the bottom center frontof said left cup and continues in a horizontal direction around saidwoman.
 38. The bra of claim 34, wherein said right outer bra band isdirectly attached to said right cup and said left outer bra band isdirectly attached to said left cup.
 39. The bra of claim 34, whereinsaid right outer bra band is indirectly attached to a said right andsaid left outer bra band is indirectly attached to said left cup. 40.The bra of claim 34, wherein said right outer bra band is an extensionof said right cup and said left outer bra band is an extension of saidleft cup.
 41. The bra of claim 1, wherein said inner bra band iscomprised of a right inner bra band panel and a left inner bra bandpanel and said outer bra band is comprised of a right outer bra bandpanel and a left outer bra band panel.
 42. The bra of claim 41, whereinsaid right inner bra band panel attaches to said left inner bra bandpanel above a point of attachment of outer bra band panels.
 43. The braof claim 41, further comprising one or more shoulder straps.
 44. The braof claim 43, wherein said one or more shoulder straps are comprised of asingle continuous piece of materials coupled to a right cup at one endand a left cup at the other end.
 45. The bra of claim 43, wherein saidone or more shoulder straps are permanently affixed to said bra.
 46. Thebra of claim 43, wherein said one or more shoulder straps are removablefrom the bra.
 47. The bra of claim 43, wherein said one or more shoulderstraps comprise a gel material.
 48. The bra of claim 43, furthercomprising a right shoulder strap and a left shoulder strap.
 49. The braof claim 48, wherein said right shoulder strap attaches to said leftshoulder strap along a woman's spine, said right inner bra band panelattaches to said right shoulder strap on the right side of said woman'sspine and said left inner bra band panel attaches to said left shoulderstrap on the left side of a woman's spine.
 50. The bra of claim 48,wherein said right shoulder strap attaches to said right inner bra band,said left shoulder strap attaches to said left inner bra band, and saidright inner bra band attaches to said left inner bra band at a pointalong a woman's spine.
 51. The bra of claim 48, wherein said rightshoulder strap attaches to said left shoulder strap with a hook and eyemechanism.
 52. The bra of claim 48, wherein said right outer bra bandpanel attaches to said left outer bra band panel at a first point ofattachment along a woman's spine; wherein said right shoulder strapattaches to said left shoulder strap at a second point of attachmentalong said woman's spine; and wherein said first point of attachment isabove said second point of attachment.
 53. The bra of claim 52, whereinsaid right inner bra band attaches to said left inner bra band at athird point of attachment along said woman's spine; wherein said innerbra band panel travels up said woman's back and is combined with theright shoulder strap prior to said third point of attachment, andwherein said left inner bra band panel travels up said woman's back andis combined with said left shoulder strap prior to said third point ofattachment.